School bus driver accused of passing note to 12-year-old

A Downers Grove school bus driver was arrested this week after he was accused of giving his contact information to a 12-year-old student, police said.

Victor Ray, 52, was charged with one count of disorderly conduct after Tuesday’s incident, according to Lt. Mike Willison of Downers Grove Police.

Police said the 12-year-old was riding the bus to Highland Elementary School on Tuesday around 9:20 a.m. when Ray gave the student a note with his contact information as the student left the bus, according to police. The student immediately turned the note over to school officials, who then contacted police and Westway Coach, the company that operates buses in the school district.

Ray could not immediately be reached for comment.

Ray, of Addison, was released on bond pending a future court date, police said. He has been barred from further contact with students.

John Benish, Jr., one of the owners of Westway Coach, said that Ray has been fired.

“Our children’s safety is our number one priority,” said Benish, Jr., who also resides in the school district where the alleged incident occurred. “We take every instance like this very seriously and take immediate action.”